Week 8 of the 2023 fantasy football season featured big surprises. Who were the big winners and losers? Which players received "A" and "F" grades?
Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft offer their analysis, and Seth Walder provides his grades. We also asked NFL Nation reporters to answer questions about what happened in the Thursday and Sunday games.
Jump to a topic:
Ranking winners | Ranking losers
Who got an A | Who got an F
Biggest injuries and what's next
Top questions from Week 8
Ranking fantasy winners of Week 8
1. CeeDee Lamb, WR; Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys: Lamb lit up the Rams' defense on Sunday, posting career highs in fantasy scoring (41.0 PPR points), receptions (12) and receiving yards (158), while also adding two scores. He worked all three levels of the field in this one, set up coverage at the top of the route and showcased his catch-and-run traits. Prescott was dialed in here, too, completing 80% of his throws versus the Rams, finishing with 304 yards passing and four touchdowns. And over the past two games, Prescott has connected with Lamb on 19 of 21 targets. Up next is a divisional matchup versus the Eagles in Week 9. -- Bowen
2. DeAndre Hopkins, WR; Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
With a rookie quarterback making his NFL debut and a challenging matchup against cornerback A.J. Terrell and the Atlanta Falcons, Hopkins shouldn't have been expected to fare as well as he did, scoring 34.8 PPR fantasy points. Terrell was lined up against Hopkins for 21 of his 26 routes, but the Falcons played 73% zone defense against him, resulting in all of his catches. Levis also played much more competitive football than anyone could've expected, and his 26.62 fantasy points were the second most by a quarterback making his first career start (Cam Newton, 30.68). If Ryan Tannehill (ankle) needs to sit again in Week 9, these two might again put up solid numbers against a mediocre Pittsburgh Steelers defense. -- Cockcroft
3. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
He's the first player in NFL history to amass at least 125 receiving yards in six consecutive games, during which time he has totaled a best-among-wide-receivers 162.1 PPR fantasy points. Brown dominated the Washington Commanders in their two meetings in 2023, between his 33.0 PPR fantasy points on Sunday and his 38.5 in their Week 4 game. He'll face a much tougher matchup in the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 but remains a weekly fantasy WR1 regardless of opponent. -- Cockcroft
4. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
Trust the volume and the dual-threat traits with Kamara. He had 21 touches in the Saints' Week 8 win over the Colts, rushing for one touchdown and producing another score on a red zone choice route. That's stealing versus a linebacker in coverage. Kamara finished with 110 total yards and 27.0 PPR points, giving him at least 20 in three of five games played this season. He's producing RB1 numbers and should stay as a top-five play at the position for New Orleans' Week 9 game versus the Bears' defense. -- Bowen
5. Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Opportunity knocked, and the rookie has answered, as his big-play ability has been apparent in scoring 31.3 and 21.4 PPR fantasy points over the past two weeks. Addison caught a pair of touchdowns on vertical throws in Week 7, then on Sunday had 18 yards after the catch above expectation, per Next Gen Stats. Unfortunately, Kirk Cousins' Achilles injury puts a damper on the rookie's breakthrough, as Jaren Hall's installation at quarterback will presumably hamper the Vikings' passing game. -- Cockcroft
6. Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
Hill's 22.5 PPR points were a season high, and his usage as a runner is quickly becoming a strong option for the Saints. In the Saints' win over the Colts, Hill had only one reception for 14 yards, but he added 63 yards rushing -- and two touchdowns -- on nine designed carries. He has now run for a touchdown in back-to-back games, with a total of 14 carries during that span. With that type of rushing volume in scoring position, Hill should be on your fantasy radar as a potential waiver add leading into the Week 9 matchup versus the Bears. -- Bowen
7. Gabe Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills
Let's go back to the Bills' Thursday night win over the Bucs, because I really liked Davis' route deployment. Davis caught a touchdown here, while also posting season highs in scoring (23.7 PPR points), receptions (nine) and targets (12). Lot of RPOs, quicks, mid-level throws. He averaged just 6.0 air yard per target here, and that's a shift from Davis' profile as the vertical/big play option for quarterback Josh Allen. You can play Davis as a WR3 for the Week 9 game against the Bengals. -- Bowen
8. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Edwards' posted a season-high 29.4 PPR points in the win over the Cardinals, logging three touchdowns on carries inside the low red zone. That gives Edwards two straight games with at least 21 PPR points and a rushing score. While he will remain a touchdown dependent back, due to his limited usage as a receiver, Edwards is getting the red zone touches that create scoring upside in your lineup. And the Ravens are moving the ball on offense. Up next for Edwards is a Week 9 home matchup against the Seahawks defense. -- Bowen
Ranking fantasy losers of Week 8
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
He set a career low with his 5.64 fantasy points on Sunday, in large part because he committed three turnovers for only the fifth time in his 88 career NFL games. Mahomes had been dealing with the flu entering the day, however, and it's likely that he was well beneath 100% for the contest. It's frustrating to see him deliver such a poor score when his matchup was as favorable as it was, but he should be feeling much better for what is sure to be a bounce-back Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. -- Cockcroft
2. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
As a fantasy manager, you know the drill: You see a 43-20 Cowboys victory, check the box score and see a mere 6.5 PPR fantasy point total, and let out a "HUH?!" Pollard has been a significant disappointment in his past four games, totaling a mere 159 rushing yards in that time, and he has been held beneath 10 PPR fantasy points in three of them. Worse yet, his receiving usage has been inconsistent week over week. Fortunately for Pollard and his grip on the lead back role, the Cowboys' backups haven't elevated their own stock during his slump, so he'll still be a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 despite the challenging Week 9 matchup against the Eagles. -- Cockcroft
3. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
In a positive matchup versus Carolina, Stroud completed 16 of 24 passes for 140 yards, and he failed to throw a touchdown for only the second time this season. The explosive plays were missing from the Texans pass game, and Stroud finished with just 5.8 yards per attempt. A third quarter touchdown run did boost Stroud's fantasy total, as he finished with 12.6 points. But I expected more here as Stroud was projected to put up QB1 numbers this week. He'll get a chance to rebound in the matchup versus the Bucs' defense. -- Bowen
4. Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers
He has clearly lost his grip on the starting role, as he played only 12 offensive snaps, had two carries and did nothing with them (0.0 PPR fantasy points). That's not to say that Chuba Hubbard excelled as the Panthers' lead back (66% snap share, 17 touches and 7.4 points), but Hubbard had already been emerging in the role before Sanders' shoulder issue that cost him Week 6. If you're in a shallow league and need the roster room, move on. -- Cockcroft
5. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Apparently they're human after all, as both Kupp and Nacua were held below 10 PPR fantasy points in the same game for the first time in 2023, though the injury to Matthew Stafford certainly capped what either receiver could do in garbage time. It was a challenging matchup against the Cowboys' defense as well, and now the focus turns to whether Stafford can play in Week 9 or if Brett Rypien will need to fill in. If it's the latter, Kupp will be a boom/bust WR1 and Nacua will be a low-end WR2. -- Cockcroft
Injury impact
Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
What we know: He suffered an Achilles injury when sacked by Green Bay Packers defender Kenny Clark early in the fourth quarter and was immediately ruled out for the game.
What's next: Coach Kevin O'Connell admitted during his postgame news conference that the team fears Cousins has a torn Achilles tendon, which would end his season. If tests confirm a tear, rookie Jaren Hall is expected to take over at quarterback, which will likely be a severe hit to the offense's productivity for the remainder of 2023. -- Cockcroft
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
What we know: Stafford left the game in the third quarter with a thumb injury and did not return. He was replaced by Brett Rypien.
What's next: If Stafford can't go next week in a matchup at Lambeau Field versus the Packers, Rypien would likely get the start for the Rams. -- Bowen
Desmond Ridder, QB, Atlanta Falcons
What we know: Ridder left the game with a potential head injury and did not return, despite passing the concussion protocol. Taylor Heinicke replaced Ridder, throwing for 175 yards and a touchdown, while adding 14 yards rushing on two carries.
What's next: If Ridder is out for the Week 9 game versus the Vikings, Heinicke would get the start. -- Bowen
Tyrod Taylor, QB, New York Giants
What we know: Taylor left in the second quarter against the Giants with a rib injury and did not return. He was replaced by rookie Tommy DeVito.
What's next: While the Giants wait on the return of starter Daniel Jones (neck), DeVito could potentially be in line to start their Week 9 game versus the Raiders if Taylor is out. -- Bowen
Darren Waller, TE, New York Giants
What we know: Waller, who was limited throughout the practice week because of a hamstring injury, was removed from Sunday's game and ruled out early in the second quarter with the same ailment.
What's next: Waller's recurrence of the same injury is concerning, and frustrating to the fantasy managers who started him in 80.6% of ESPN leagues. Daniel Bellinger would fill in if Waller cannot play in Week 9. -- Cockcroft
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
What we know: Pickett left the game in the second quarter against the Jaguars with a rib injury and did not return. Mitch Trubisky replaced him at the start of the second half.
What's next: If Pickett is unable to go next week, Trubisky will get the start for the Steelers' home game versus the Tennessee Titans. -- Bowen
Who earned an 'A' this weekend?
Micah Parsons, Edge, Dallas Cowboys
The box score might only give Parsons one sack against the Rams, but his impact was felt on more than just that one play. In fact, Parsons racked up nine pass rush wins -- meaning he beat his blocker within 2.5 seconds nine times -- for a huge 50% pass rush win rate. For context, Parsons leads the NFL with a 34% PRWR this season. -- Walder
Who earned an 'F' this weekend?
Tony Brown, CB, Indianapolis Colts
The Saints took advantage of Brown, who had barely played on defense this year before starting Sunday, in their 38-27 win over the Colts. Brown allowed 187 yards and a touchdown on 27 coverage snaps, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The Saints caught all seven of their targets against him. Plus, Brown was juked out of his shoes by Taysom Hill on a 20-yard touchdown run. -- Walder
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, Carolina Panthers
Yes, the Panthers got their first win Sunday. But it wasn't all good news for Carolina: Ekwonu, the No. 6 pick in the 2022 draft, had just a 52% pass block win rate in the game -- the worst of all qualifying players in Week 8 through the early afternoon window. Ekwonu most often faced Texans pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard. -- Walder
Zach Wilson, QB, New York Jets
Don't let the team's win fool you: Wilson hurt the Jets on Sunday. The box score numbers weren't pretty: 17 completions on 36 attempts for one touchdown, no interceptions and four sacks. But the advanced numbers were worse: negative-20 expected points added and a negative-10% completion percentage over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats. To put it another way: the Giants managed just 7 total passing yards in the game -- and the Jets still needed overtime to win. -- Walder
Lingering questions from Sunday's games
What does CeeDee Lamb's big day mean for the Cowboys' offense the rest of the season?
Lamb is clearly the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver. After a frustrating game at San Francisco, he has followed it up with back to back 100-yard games. That's what they need. Lamb said getting him involved early not only helps him but helps the entire offense because defenses will have to alter how they cover him. It's hard to expect 12 catches for 158 yards and two scores each week, but if Lamb can stay on course, the offense seems to follow him. "Honestly, just getting in the game early gets the defense on their heels and gives them a reason to focus on me," Lamb said. "(After that) I want all my guys to explode." -- Todd Archer
Is Alvin Kamara really Derek Carr's No. 1 target in the pass game?
Kamara has equaled Chris Olave with 44 overall targets despite playing in three fewer games, but he was actually third in targets behind Olave and Michael Thomas against the Colts. If Derek Carr can continue to build his chemistry with the wide receivers, don't necessarily expect Kamara to be getting double digit targets each game. The Saints came into the season with the idea to spread the ball around, and showed how it can work against the Colts. They'll likely attempt more of the same moving forward. -- Katherine Terrell
Will Levis threw it all over the field Sunday. Should we expect DeAndre Hopkins' target volume to increase if Levis keeps the job?
Yes. Hopkins was targeted six times in Levis' debut and came down with four receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns. It's safe to say that Hopkins will continue to be Levis' primary pass catcher because good things happen when the ball goes his way. Levis said Hopkins is the type of wide receiver that's open even when he's covered. That's a sign of immense trust in Hopkins who Levis connected with for three touchdowns. Hopkins has a Dennis Rodman-like ability to always get into position to get the ball. He's also capable of getting yards after the catch. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will continue to feature Hopkins as continues to be the Titans main threat in the passing attack. -- Turron Davenport